How a Photographer Can Protect Wedding Images
Being in the photography business means you are in a profession that deals with a TON of technology. Everything from fancy cameras, cards to hold images, hard drives, and so much more. A wedding is a once in a lifetime event. It can't be reshot! That's why image protection is the one of the most important systems you need to have in place in your business. Don't worry! I will go over this in DETAIL so that you fully understand the measures you can take.
DUAL CARD CAMERAS
The first line of defense is to only use top of the line professional gear. Start by only shooting with Dual Card Cameras. This ensures that every single photo taken all day long is immediately recorded and saved to two SD cards. Thus creating TWO copies of every image before you even leave. On top of only using cameras that take two cards, we keep a total of THREE cameras and SIX lenses with us at all times. All of which are dual cards.
Why? Things happen! Cameras get dropped, photographers get bumped into by guests, etc. It is so important that you come prepared for anything that may happen!
It's important to note here that not all professional grade cameras can record to two cards. This is top of the line gear!!
SECOND SHOOTERS
Second shooters are other professional wedding photographers who simply didn't book a wedding on a specific day who are willing to be there to help you out. They are mainly there to get different angles of the same moments and to get more photographs for the client. This is also helpful in case your files become corrupted and you need to rely on the second shooter’s cards/files.
Like I mentioned before, you should always have three cameras to bring to a wedding day. But your second shooter is the back for those backup cameras! Mistakes happen and moments can be missed, but you still have coverage! That second photographer needs to be able to step in to take over is absolutely necessary. Second shooters are NEVER permitted in my car. As they serve as our first line of defense in an Act of God situation. (example: I get in a car accident on my way to a wedding.)
STORAGE IN MULTIPLE PLACES
Once back from the wedding (most of the time the same day) I get to work creating back ups, and storing all images in multiple locations. My workflow and backup system creates a total of 7 safe locations for photos when completed. The images will live in these 7 safe locations for years to come. Some examples of this are external hard drives and the Cloud.
Leaving this office selfie of my interns and I, cause every photo doesn’t have to be proffesional!
